Story: Introduced land birds

Pigeongram service dovecote (1st of 2)

Pigeongram service dovecote

Rock pigeons were introduced to New Zealand as racing or messenger pigeons. The most interesting use of their talents came in 1897, with the establishment of a pigeon-post service from Great Barrier Island to Auckland. This is the original dovecote in Newton, Auckland. The service lasted until 1908.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-027977-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Introduced land birds - Pigeons and doves', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17140/pigeongram-service-dovecote (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Nov 2008, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015